Breakout Players to watch – player notes

A “breakout player” is a basketball player who has been ineffective or marginal in the past, but who suddenly becomes a  basketball stud one year. Breakout players happen every year in this game, and the teams who acquire those breakout players often challenge for their league title. That’s because a breakout player outperforms wherever they are playing at and for, meaning that owner gets better value than other owners and a major advantage in their starting lineup every week. Remember there is a “sleeper candidates” every year, hoping to add that breakout player.

Lets take a look at Q’s break out player for the upcoming 2018 season…

2019 Stevie Smith is ready to step up his game and shine.

Smith attends Rainier Beach High School and is the younger brother of the University of Oregon guard Keith Smith Jr. Smith has a smooth playing style, with a nice catch and shoot jumpshot. His handles are still improving, but he shows glimpses of elite playmaking.

Smith excels not only in the classroom, but also on the basketball court and in the community. He is known as a good hearted young man who cares about the well-being of others. He is an excellent example in the classroom of what a student athlete should be. His positive infectious attitude will definitely help him at the next level.

Class of 2018, 6’7 power foward out of Kamiak high school is looking to put on a show of the season with his improved inside outside game.

A versatile big man at 6’7″, Daniel Sharpe is a high school version of Andrew Kirilenko. Daniel can stretch the floor and make threes but one of his biggest strengths is his leadership and basketball IQ.

Long and lanky at 6’7″ and still growing, Daniel has a very high ceiling as a basketball player. Right now, Sharpe’s focus needs to be on adding muscle mass and becoming more physical in the post. While Daniel does have perimeter skill, he needs to spend the lead-up to his junior season working on becoming a more consistent shooter and get more comfortable putting the ball on the floor. If he can make some strides and get close to reaching his ceiling, he will certainly have college recruiters knocking on the door.

Class of 2020, 6’3, shooting guard Tyler Patterson is set to have a monster year for Mount Si High School.

The shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or off guard, is one of the five positions  in a regulation basketball game. A shooting guard’s main objective is to score points for his team. Some teams ask their shooting guards to bring up the ball as well; these players are known colloquially as combo guards.

Typically, shooting guards are taller than point guards. Height at the position varies; many bigger shooting guards also play small forward. Shooting guards should be good ball handlers and be able to pass reasonably well, though passing is not their main priority. Since good shooting guards may attract double-teams, they are frequently the team’s back-up ball handlers to the point guard and typically get a fair number of assists.

Class of 2020 5’10 guard Bradley Graham hasn’t touched a piece of his potential yet. His ceiling is “non-existent”. He will be the top point guard in the state of Washington.

I was fortunate enough to get a glimpse of who I think will be one of the top guards in the State of Washington by his Senior year and even though I have seen a lot of basketball in the state of Washington throughout my years. I have never came across a player who excited me like this young man. Already at the age of 15 has some of the best handles I have seen on this side of the mountain. A quick release and limitless range. Literally has eyes in the back of his head and can see a play develop before it happens. He put few of the Boise Slam players in a spin cycle with some of signature moves.

Class of 2019 6’5 guard Raeqaun Battle of Seattle Rotary EYBL has shown that you can be effective and standout even coming off the bench. Raeqaun stock has been rising this year as he looks to land some offers.

Raeqaun Battle, 6’4 (Marysville-Pilchuck) – Battle is a smooth guard, with a nice jump shot. He continues to grow and take his game to the next level, displaying nice ball handling skills and a solid pull up jump shot. He’s pretty shifty and can make plays off the dribble to either buckets for him self or assists to his teammates. Battle should turn some heads this season and enter this summer ready to bring in some major looks.

Raeqaun continues to show an ability to slash and make plays around the basket.  His length allows him to do a number of different things offensively. Raeqaun has worked on his jumper. His mid-range pull-up game looked great and he stepped in and knocked down the long ball with consistency as well. Raquan’s footwork and passing coming off ball screens was also something that looked strong. He got to the basket when he wanted too while showing creativity with his finishes. Strong defender known for his slashing ability on the offensive end of the floor.